'We believed we could win the Test' - Clarke

Australia's captain Michael Clarke has said that a defensive, time-wasting mindset never entered his thinking as India slowly cruised to a six-wicket victory that won them the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Mohali. After Australia were bowled out in the second session on day five, it left India chasing 133 in a minimum of 27 overs and while Clarke could have employed delaying tactics to ensure Australia did not give India any extra time, his focus was firmly on pushing for victory himself.

India's innings began approximately half an hour before tea, meaning that even if Australia had used only their fast bowlers it would have been a struggle to bowl only the minimum 12 overs before the start of the final hour. Instead, Clarke rotated his bowlers quite normally and got through an extra nine overs, which meant that in the end India had 36 overs to chase their target. They got there in the 34th.

A draw would have been nothing but a consolation for Clarke's men, who needed a victory in order to stay alive in the series and retain any hope of keeping the Border-Gavaskar Trophy following their losses in Chennai and Hyderabad. Although India never looked in serious trouble, they did lose four wickets along the way and Clarke said breakthroughs were not only Australia's only path to victory but the best way of restricting the runs.

"We still believed that we could win the Test," Clarke said. "We thought there were going to be opportunities to take wickets, knowing that India were going to have to score at a decent pace. In that first hour when we went out and bowled we could have taken as much time as possible, wasted time to slow the scoring and not bowl many overs because I knew once 3.30 came around, we had to bowl 15 overs in the last hour.

"But I don't think that's the way we play our cricket. We try to win and unfortunately that wasn't the case. We couldn't get a draw, so we deal with a loss. But I think our players deserve a lot of credit for the way they tried their best. Our fast bowlers worked their absolute backsides off and we were very close to hanging on for a draw.

"It was all about taking wickets. We had to try to win the Test match and even if you defend, the best form of defence is taking wickets. If you want to slow scoring whether it be in T20, one-day cricket or Tests taking wickets is the best way to slow the scoring and that was our goal, with 130 on the board you never know what can happen in this game but I think the boys showed a lot of fight and deserve credit for that."

Australia's fight with the ball was worthy of credit but the lack of a big hundred from any of their batsmen in either innings was again costly. Australia's first innings of 408 looked good until India posted 499, and the difference was that Shikhar Dhawan and M Vijay both passed 150 and put on a 289-run stand, while Australia's innings featured four scores above 70 but none of them turned into triple-figures.

Conceding huge partnerships and failing to build their own have both been ongoing issues for the Australians in this series. In Chennai, MS Dhoni scored a double-century and put on 140 for the ninth wicket with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, which turned the match, and in Hyderabad Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara compiled 370 together. Australia's highest stand of the series is 151 by Clarke and Moises Henriques in Chennai, and Clarke's hundred there is Australia's only one of the trip. India's batsmen have made six tons.

"Credit needs to go to the India batters, that's for sure, and as a batting unit that's what we're trying to do as well," Clarke said. "We're making just as many fifties as India but nowhere near as many hundreds. We have to be more disciplined once we get to fifty, to stay nice and patient, swim between the flags I guess and go on and make a big score.

"But I think their batters throughout this series have made the most of conditions. Again in their first innings they are making big scores. I think in the last two Test matches we've shown if we can break that partnership, we've bowled really well. Apart from the first partnership the other nine wickets fell for 210 runs for us, which was a really good sign for us. And it was similar in the second innings. It's just breaking that big partnership that we need to keep working on."

This was the sixth consecutive Test Australia have lost in India and at 3-0 with one match remaining, the series has been by far the worst under Clarke's leadership. Australia won 3-0 at home to Sri Lanka this summer after fighting hard against South Africa but losing 1-0, and Clarke said the team would need to find ways of handling foreign conditions and not just being a threat at home.

"I think it's probably a very fair indication of where both teams are at," Clarke said of the 3-0 scoreline. "I don't want to talk for India. But for the Australian team it's probably a fair indication. We're playing some really good, consistent cricket at home back in Australia, in conditions we're very used to, very accustomed to, but we're not performing as well as we'd like when we go overseas in conditions we're not used to.

"That's an area we've spoken about as a group for a while now, over the past 12 months. We continue to work hard on that. As disappointing as it is that we can't level the series now that we're 3-0 down, I think the players individually and the team have learnt a lot over the first three Test matches. We'd love to go home with a win in this last Test in Delhi."

Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. He tweets here

Clarke is doubtless a positive skipper, humble yet mindful of cricketing legacies and the best Australia have in their ranks right now. Unfortunately, Australia do not have the personnel to back him up, should he fail (which is what makes the Homework Punishments even more baffling!).Had Siddle and Starc found more of their swing earlier, it could have been an exiting contest. That said, Mohali was perhaps the most 'spin unfriendly' pitch of the series and Indian spinners deserve credit for taking twenty Australian wickets. And to the detractors, let us not get into random arguments about 'what-if's. Indian batting line up is a fairly green one too, Tendulkar and Dhoni aside, the entire top seven is still getting their feet wet in test cricket, so well done!

PSK_analyst
on March 18, 2013, 16:00 GMT

What Clarke has done is indeed admirable and is a great example to other captains, this is the kind of attitude that Test cricket needs , Test cricket needs more captains like Clarke , if Dhoni was in Clarkes shoes , i think he would go for the draw, no disrespect to Dhoni here , but thats the way most captains do.

Rags57
on March 18, 2013, 15:17 GMT

Amazing attitude for a captain. Hats off Michael, you are a credit to the cricket world. You just needed one or two match winners in your team and some luck and who knows you would have at least shared honors with India in this series. If India won the first two days of this test, I believe Australia won the final two days. Take Shikhar Dhawan's innings out and Australia would have most definitely won this match. India would have struggled for a target of 200 so I would say Australia just lost by 60 or 70 runs!! Isn't it commendable considering Clarke, their best batsman was a big failure in this match?

AKS286
on March 20, 2013, 11:54 GMT

Yes very positive attitude by clarke. 2 runs to win & 70 overs are left , 10 wickets in hand-- But I believe we will definately win. we will bowl 69 overs maiden then in the last over we will pick 6 wickets very simple. Believe in the Fighting spirit.everything is possible.

on March 19, 2013, 18:15 GMT

Clarke is a positive captain but to say he believed he could win on the last day is nothing short of "kidding oneself", Aussies would have done well to last the final day and earn a respectable draw. Being positive is all good but not at the risk of divorcing logic.

popcorn
on March 19, 2013, 15:05 GMT

Michael Clarke's approach of playng fair is in SHARP CONTRAST to the SICK way Andrew Stauss employed delay tactics at Cardiff - he sent a fellow with gloves (that were not asked for) and a physio Moobs (who was not sent for) - TWICE. England drew the match.Hats off to Clarke and the Team management for not complaining against Aleem Dar (ICC Umpire of the Year? Sic) when the whole world could see that Phil Hughes was not out lbw - the ball was going down leg,and against Umpire Kettleborough for giving Michael Clarke out caught - no deflection + no ball. Had it been India, they would have asked for their sacking and abandoning the Tour like they did in 2008. They ensured Umpire Steve Bucknor was removed. Sic.

Temuzin
on March 19, 2013, 14:15 GMT

Good thinking by Clarke. He could afford to be positive and lose the match. He knew even a draw will end in losing the series so the only option he had was to try to win and stay in the series. Knowledgeable Australian fans and media understands and knows that.
As for as captains from subcontinent, they cant afford that positivity. Subcontinental media, pseudo-experts and fans will devour any subcontinental captain for losing a match when they can draw it by some gamesmanship and delaying tactic.

AKS286
on March 19, 2013, 13:46 GMT

@ Deepanjan Datta on (March 18, 2013, 16:13 GMT) about your featured comment. You told here how Clarke is positive skipper. Look Fella positive thinking or negative thinking is a perception but the truth is Fact. and fact could be positive for you or negative for you. The fact was on day 5 was everyone knows that Aus not even to capable for draw and he talks about Winning.

DINESHCC
on March 19, 2013, 13:15 GMT

I appreciate the spirit of Cricket shown by the Aussies. Had it been Ganguly, Strauss, Nasser Hussain, Stephen Flemming, Jayawardena and all Pakistan Captains, on field discussions would have been made once in two overs , two bouncers bowled per over, too many wide like balls bowled, even spinners taken a long run for bowling and totally bowled 15 overs in 2.30 hours time. But Aussies bowled more than 30 overs and lost the match.

on March 19, 2013, 9:29 GMT

those assuming dhoni wud have gone for the draw had he been in clarke's shoes- Whats wrong in it ? Look this is India...Owing to the recent failures, dhoni has been under a lot of pressure..there is media, which at one instance, speaks abt showin him the doors and at the other(the moment we won the first match) said he is the best captain India has produced....this is a nation which will take anything but a loss..a lot was not made abt the final test against england coz we dint lose that match..although we lost the series but we managed to derive some amount of pride (no matter how miniscule) from the last test..in short..dhoni will always go for a draw in situations where he isnt sure if his batsmen or bowlers can win it for him..

on March 18, 2013, 16:13 GMT

Clarke is doubtless a positive skipper, humble yet mindful of cricketing legacies and the best Australia have in their ranks right now. Unfortunately, Australia do not have the personnel to back him up, should he fail (which is what makes the Homework Punishments even more baffling!).Had Siddle and Starc found more of their swing earlier, it could have been an exiting contest. That said, Mohali was perhaps the most 'spin unfriendly' pitch of the series and Indian spinners deserve credit for taking twenty Australian wickets. And to the detractors, let us not get into random arguments about 'what-if's. Indian batting line up is a fairly green one too, Tendulkar and Dhoni aside, the entire top seven is still getting their feet wet in test cricket, so well done!

PSK_analyst
on March 18, 2013, 16:00 GMT

What Clarke has done is indeed admirable and is a great example to other captains, this is the kind of attitude that Test cricket needs , Test cricket needs more captains like Clarke , if Dhoni was in Clarkes shoes , i think he would go for the draw, no disrespect to Dhoni here , but thats the way most captains do.

Rags57
on March 18, 2013, 15:17 GMT

Amazing attitude for a captain. Hats off Michael, you are a credit to the cricket world. You just needed one or two match winners in your team and some luck and who knows you would have at least shared honors with India in this series. If India won the first two days of this test, I believe Australia won the final two days. Take Shikhar Dhawan's innings out and Australia would have most definitely won this match. India would have struggled for a target of 200 so I would say Australia just lost by 60 or 70 runs!! Isn't it commendable considering Clarke, their best batsman was a big failure in this match?

AKS286
on March 20, 2013, 11:54 GMT

Yes very positive attitude by clarke. 2 runs to win & 70 overs are left , 10 wickets in hand-- But I believe we will definately win. we will bowl 69 overs maiden then in the last over we will pick 6 wickets very simple. Believe in the Fighting spirit.everything is possible.

on March 19, 2013, 18:15 GMT

Clarke is a positive captain but to say he believed he could win on the last day is nothing short of "kidding oneself", Aussies would have done well to last the final day and earn a respectable draw. Being positive is all good but not at the risk of divorcing logic.

popcorn
on March 19, 2013, 15:05 GMT

Michael Clarke's approach of playng fair is in SHARP CONTRAST to the SICK way Andrew Stauss employed delay tactics at Cardiff - he sent a fellow with gloves (that were not asked for) and a physio Moobs (who was not sent for) - TWICE. England drew the match.Hats off to Clarke and the Team management for not complaining against Aleem Dar (ICC Umpire of the Year? Sic) when the whole world could see that Phil Hughes was not out lbw - the ball was going down leg,and against Umpire Kettleborough for giving Michael Clarke out caught - no deflection + no ball. Had it been India, they would have asked for their sacking and abandoning the Tour like they did in 2008. They ensured Umpire Steve Bucknor was removed. Sic.

Temuzin
on March 19, 2013, 14:15 GMT

Good thinking by Clarke. He could afford to be positive and lose the match. He knew even a draw will end in losing the series so the only option he had was to try to win and stay in the series. Knowledgeable Australian fans and media understands and knows that.
As for as captains from subcontinent, they cant afford that positivity. Subcontinental media, pseudo-experts and fans will devour any subcontinental captain for losing a match when they can draw it by some gamesmanship and delaying tactic.

AKS286
on March 19, 2013, 13:46 GMT

@ Deepanjan Datta on (March 18, 2013, 16:13 GMT) about your featured comment. You told here how Clarke is positive skipper. Look Fella positive thinking or negative thinking is a perception but the truth is Fact. and fact could be positive for you or negative for you. The fact was on day 5 was everyone knows that Aus not even to capable for draw and he talks about Winning.

DINESHCC
on March 19, 2013, 13:15 GMT

I appreciate the spirit of Cricket shown by the Aussies. Had it been Ganguly, Strauss, Nasser Hussain, Stephen Flemming, Jayawardena and all Pakistan Captains, on field discussions would have been made once in two overs , two bouncers bowled per over, too many wide like balls bowled, even spinners taken a long run for bowling and totally bowled 15 overs in 2.30 hours time. But Aussies bowled more than 30 overs and lost the match.

on March 19, 2013, 9:29 GMT

those assuming dhoni wud have gone for the draw had he been in clarke's shoes- Whats wrong in it ? Look this is India...Owing to the recent failures, dhoni has been under a lot of pressure..there is media, which at one instance, speaks abt showin him the doors and at the other(the moment we won the first match) said he is the best captain India has produced....this is a nation which will take anything but a loss..a lot was not made abt the final test against england coz we dint lose that match..although we lost the series but we managed to derive some amount of pride (no matter how miniscule) from the last test..in short..dhoni will always go for a draw in situations where he isnt sure if his batsmen or bowlers can win it for him..

Scube
on March 19, 2013, 8:09 GMT

@Damian123: I guess, you should immediately take the Mensa test and I won't be surprised if you score 170+ while Einstein's IQ is guestimated to be at 160! You understood my comment exactly to the word, didn't u!?! The article talks abt how Australia could have got away just bowling 27 overs as per "rules" while they gallantly tried bowling 36! Me & few of my lifeminded friends here are trying to fathom how the Aussies could have tried to bowl just 27 overs in 150+ mins!! Anyway, don't worry about it and just focus on your studies when you are in kindergarten!!

AKS286
on March 19, 2013, 7:53 GMT

My question to my friends have you seen Australia struggling like this in the 100 yrs of history. Aus is a very dominant test & odi team in the world. OK win & loss is another thing and courage & heart is another thing. For betterment of Australia I think ACB must take off captaincy from Clarke. For Oz fans don't say like this "we are with you PuP in bad days"--- change your attitute to this "WE are with you AUSTRALIA is tough days". Aus team lost mojo, Every team fears Aus earlier. if Oz will tour Bangaladesh i don't think they will handle bangladesh spinners and their flat pitch. this will be the real upset and also i think clarke will take off his name as bang tour excuse will be REST- Too much crick.

Naresh28
on March 19, 2013, 7:45 GMT

Differing opinions will be formed of Clarke. Some will say he is soft and others will
say he plays the game in true spirit. Oz are in a crisis right now - they had the option
of keeping all their team problems amongst themselves or expose players who were
not towing the line.Their spin bowlers are less potent than India. their batsman
did not work out what needs to be done when facing spin unlike England who
improved as they played more. All teams need to respect India at home.

sachin_vvsfan
on March 19, 2013, 7:19 GMT

@Meety Perhaps pujaras first innings score (as suggested by his stats) would have outscored the combined runs of hughes and cowans in second innings. Clarke was given out by third umpire.So there should not be any debate.
Cowan's dismissal is very similar to Vijay's. Hughes is the only blunder i see but then you must also note the lucky escape of Haddin who ate up the time.

Above all rain played its part to avoid a comprehensive victory for indians. Please dont mention that we lost 4 wickets for 130 odd in second innings. You pretty much know in what circumstances they were lost.

on March 19, 2013, 5:55 GMT

This is what you want from a captain, no one in team india would have thought like this :(

I think Clarke would have sent Starc instead of Lyon.Starc is a better batsmen than Lyon. We don't know why he sent Starc @ no 10 in second innings when he scored a 99 in his first innings. If Starc & Huges played a positive cricket in the 1st session then Aussie would try for Draw at least.

on March 19, 2013, 5:24 GMT

Despite being 3-0 up the problems for the Indian team are far from over. The top order is yet to be exposed to overseas conditions. The bowlers (an all spin attack) will hardly get favourable conditions in s africa or for that matter new zealand. Indians are often troubled by pace be that in India or abroad. Wonder if pat cummins was here what wud have been the result..and what happened to hilfenhaus? he was the best bowler in India's last tour to oz. injured? for India- ishant is the worst strike bowler....kumar looks good and promising...i think its over for zaheer khan..so lets rejoice while we can..coz a few months later we will here again demanding changes in captaincy and bidding goodbyes to senior players..

Cricket316
on March 19, 2013, 4:33 GMT

Clarke is just not good enough as a Captain,a simple fact. At the end of 3rd day, all the fans could predict there were only 2 results possible A Draw or an India Win,which was more likely after Ozs lost 3 wickets on the 4th day. I was just surprised by his statement. You believed that you could save the test match ? May be clarke's trying to convince himself or his players or the fans. He should be doing is building a team and picking a team that can play at the test level,not T20 Bash boys.

on March 19, 2013, 4:17 GMT

One must give credit to Clarke for trying to fight back instead of playing for a draw. Unfortunately other then the two pace bowlers he had no support from the spinners to either restrict the scoring or take wickets. But this typical Aussie attitude will surely help to get the morale of the team back.

Alexk400
on March 19, 2013, 4:14 GMT

I really thought aussie will lose chennai test and fight the other venues. Never thought aussie team lose 3-0. That mean this aussie team has chemistry problem. Openers failing. No middle order except Clarke. I am thinking removing Hussey was a blunder. There is no rearguard action. Aussie batsman falling like 9 pin test after test. Can this aussie team win Ashes that to against swann who is better spinner than indian spinners. They really need new breed of batsman. Bowling wise they are ok if the batsman can put up score. Bowling looks weak because of there is not much runs on the board. I believe aussie should use all fast bowlers and dump spinners. Use clarke as a spinner. And concentrate on put up big score 500+. That means openers should not fall to B kumar. Ishant sharma can be playable. Kumar is very hittable with old ball. I am 100% sure clarke won't play because he is losing his wicket to jadeja again and again. Watson should be captain.

on March 19, 2013, 4:08 GMT

With discipline and relentlessness of Mcgrath and guile and deception of Warne, Clarke would have had a chance but not with kind of bowners he had. India could have put shutters down at any point and batted out remaining overs.

on March 19, 2013, 3:59 GMT

@Alexk400

Captains don't win matches teams do..it is a big hype..

Romenevans
on March 19, 2013, 3:43 GMT

@ torsha - Me a fan of Ganguly? That would be the last thing on earth i'd be hoping to do. Ganguly was the worst ever player india produced and so is Dhoni in tests. Just for the SA tour and see Dhoni dancing and edging straight to the first slip. Steyn, Philly and Morkal are going to blow him away.

jmcilhinney
on March 19, 2013, 3:43 GMT

@Cpt.Meanster on (March 18, 2013, 20:15 GMT), I think that Clarke was just bowling how ever he thought he had the best chance of taking wickets. I doubt that he tried to bowl more or fewer overs. He just bowled the bowlers he thought had the best chance of making a break-through. If he bowled spinners to get more overs in then India would just get to the required total sooner even if the strike rate was no higher. What mattered was that Australia took 10 wickets before India scored the required runs and if the pace bowlers were more likely to do that then it makes sense that Clarke bowled the pace bowlers. I doubt that Clarke, or any of the Australians for that matter, realistically believed that they could win. I just think that they refused to dwell on the fact that they were going to lose. Agree regarding the Ashes. England beat India with good spin bowling and improved batting against spin bowling, neither of which will be a major factor come the Ashes.

jmcilhinney
on March 19, 2013, 3:36 GMT

I very much doubt that anyone in that Australian team actually believed that they could win. If you were in an alley with unbroken walls on both sides and someone behind you with a gun, you'd still run, even though you knew that you were going to be shot in the back anyway. It was important for Australia to maintain a positive attitude because they still have another Test to play and admitting their plight here would have just made it harder to remain positive for that game. I think that Clarke has decided that he is going to be a positive captain no matter what and, while there's a chance that it contributed to the loss here, I think that it's better for the team in the long run because, even in defeat, they can always say that they tried their best to win. This particular loss will fade but that thought will remain and the team will draw strength from it. Even if it only helps a little in the future, it helps.

pitch_curator
on March 19, 2013, 2:43 GMT

If Clarke was so interested in winning then why was he arguing with Aleem Dar tow minutes before the mandatory final hour?? Many of the people commenting here do not seem to have watched the game. Clarke was deliberately slowing the game down and Aleem Dar showed him the watch. Clarke had NO other option other than bowling those overs quickly as he had only two quicks and spinners will go through their overs quickly no matter how deliberately they slowed it down. Clarke could not employ Henriques as he would have got hammered and he also had to preserve his faster bowlers for the final hour of play. So, he had no option other than bowling atleast one of his slowers bowlers after tea. And Doherty was bowling over the wicket not around. How was he planning to get the batsmen out? LBW? what a joke.

wake_up_india
on March 19, 2013, 2:31 GMT

I don't follow the logic of people who say that Clarke should have tried to draw the match. The only useful outcome for Australia, from a series perspective, was a win and that is what he went for. India was under less pressure to win than Australia and would have happily taken a draw rather than risk a defeat. Clarke did absolutely the right thing. Trying to draw the match is what I might have expected India to do in similar circumstances (not to detract anything from the present High they are deservedly on).

on March 19, 2013, 1:51 GMT

Australia should start a new form of cricket called "verbal cricket". In that form, they have No 1 captain and even more No 1 manager.

TheBigBoodha
on March 19, 2013, 0:25 GMT

Clarke's approach is right. He is not just trying to win the game, but build a team culture. I believe that this is the right way to move forward. It will pay off in the long run, maybe a year or two. He also makes no excuses, unlike Dhoni, Jayawardene and co when they get smashed in Australia. The truth is that the Indians are getting smarter in replacing old players. But they still rely too much on manipulating conditions and procedures like the DRS, which is why their overseas record is worse than just about anybody's in the last two years. One area that needs to be addressed for AUS is team selections. Why is Doherty playing when they could be grooming a young spinner with potential, such as O'Keefe or even Zampa? Doherty bowled as well as he could, but he is not of first--class standard, let alone test standard, as his record clearly shows.

Des_65
on March 18, 2013, 23:07 GMT

If an over takes 5 minutes, 1.5 hours means 18 overs plus 15 mandatory overs. So, total minimum overs would have been 33. If Australia would have wasted time, somebody would have been fined (e.g. Captain cannot play the next match because of delaying tactics). Also, India needed 45 in the last 15 overs. They made sure that they did not lose one more wicket as the tail was long.

on March 18, 2013, 22:58 GMT

I'm a kiwi, but always loved Australian cricket which was so strong and mighty that was focused on nothing but winning, so it's sad to see their captain giving credit to his team for battling hard in a lost cause.

srriaj317
on March 18, 2013, 21:30 GMT

@Joe Thompson: Australia have toured Bangladesh before. Remember Gillespie's record-breaking 201*? Of course you don't. MORE IMPORTANTLY, Australia have even hosted Bangladesh at home. Do you know which is the only major country which hasn't hosted B'desh at home yet? Obviously you don't know - it's India.

TRAM
on March 18, 2013, 21:02 GMT

This man is selfless, hardworking, dedicated and with so much good cricketing spirit. His actions such as going for win here, declaring when his individual score was 300* plus, treating team discipline as highest priority, etc are unseen in today's cricket. I am pretty sure his back problem is also because of over exertion and again for cricket only. I request ACB to preserve his body, mind and position in the team. Wish him good luck.

Alexk400
on March 18, 2013, 20:47 GMT

Michale clarke gift wrapped a win for dhoni because of poor captaincy. Period. Attacking captaincy always carry a risk. But Slowing down overs would have been best pressure they could have done to get wickets. So basically clarke logic of bowling more overs 100% flawed. Chappel used to praise clarke for his attacking captaincy in australia but its lot easier to win at home with home crowd energy. When you are winning, anyone can say you are great captain. I always feel great captain is one who gets as much from his team even when team is losing. Aussies lost within 4 days. They could have easily drawn this game. I like 2-0 loss than 3-0 loss. I think clarke gave a gift to dhoni. I always thought Michael clarke is animated emotional guy almost similar to indians and his batting also indian batsman style. I believe watson is more cold blooded and calm captain than clarke. Appoint watson as captain and relieve clarke from captaincy and concentrate on batting. :)

pat_one_back
on March 18, 2013, 20:38 GMT

An improved showing for Aust with our bowlers finally penetrating save for one marvellous opening stand. For those questioning the impact of Day 1, 2 sessions were recovered and over rates were good. For those doubting Aust had even a remote chance, read Dhoni's comments, he'd know! India are deservedly up 3-0 but there's not been that much between these teams, Ashwin I'm the 1st Test, Dhoni in the 2nd and the huge opening stand in the 3rd. India's higher quality spin bowling aside Aust batsmen have simply failed to convert on their first tour of India after all getting starts. Love to see Hadds stay on for 4th Test & Patto to come in for Doherty. Hughes must stay on now, Khawaja deserves a run if Watto isn't back

on March 18, 2013, 20:26 GMT

I've always wondered why Australia don't tour minnows Bangladesh for a test series??? Australia did much better in this 3rd test match but still it was pretty one sided. Looks likes 4-0 revenge is coming.

Alexk400
on March 18, 2013, 20:22 GMT

Its not easy to beat dhoni team in india. You need more pressure on indian team to get wickets. Problem with this current team is they do not have batsman to score against spinners and grind them. Issue is openers. If openers bat until 100 , it reduces pressure on others. I still think they need few grinders in middle order to get huge total. Bowlers can apply pressure if they have runs behind them. Aussie has everything except brain that is lacking in clarke. Forget winning test , create setup for creating a definite role for each players. I think each player given multiple roles makes it complex i believer. Make it simple roles. Openers stay as long as possible and we do not need fast runs ,we want you to stay at crease longer. Grind opposition bowlers. if i want to pinpoint one issue with this australian team is players lack skill against spinners and lack of self belief in attacking indian spinners is major reason for collapse. Attack is best form of defense in my dictionary.

Cpt.Meanster
on March 18, 2013, 20:15 GMT

I don't think Clarke is making sense here. His team could have bowled a lot more overs than they actually did. Had he bowled a spinner at one end, he could have picked up some more wickets and forced India to play for a draw. Instead, he kept bowling Siddle and Starc who as fast bowlers had long run ups, simply eating into the time. One incident especially made me laugh, just before the end of the mandatory 1 hour session, he was simply chatting to Doherty trying to waste time. If Australia were really looking to win then they would have opened with spin bowling at both ends. The Indian batsmen love playing their shots and we all saw what happened with Murali Vijay and Pujara; both perishing to poor shots. If India were 4 down for less than a 100, who knows ? Having said that, Starc and Siddle bowled very well. They were swinging the cherry big time. This is why I feel the Aussie bowlers will be a danger to England come the Ashes.

GrindAR
on March 18, 2013, 20:04 GMT

Aussies showed the intent lot better in this test. They were able to trigger the collapses in both innings, but in second they did not have enough to defend. Think about the tail end was the major reason for the fighting display. Hughes was the player he use to be, perfect 3rd man to bat for Aussies. In fact India need to learn a lot more in this test. How about contemplating on their mini collapses. This was the reason for series loss to english team. It did not show any sense of improvement yet. When going to SA, this will be a major issue to address.

Alexk400
on March 18, 2013, 19:30 GMT

Michael clarke is bad captain. Appoint watson as new captain. Clarke also seems like do not have good leadership skills. His my way or no way do not gona work. He is their best batsman. Let him concentrate on batting. Watson is a good leader.

on March 18, 2013, 19:01 GMT

Well played Clarke . A real gentle man , at last an australian who doesn't believe in sledging and playing negative tactics often employed by almost all other world teams . Kudos Clarke . Hope you could gather the team and bring up a spirited fight back at delhi . Best wishes for future

AKS286
on March 18, 2013, 18:58 GMT

My dear friends Last Day Last hour any team has to bowl minimum 15 overs its a rule. before last one hour minimum 10 overs.

John-Price
on March 18, 2013, 18:35 GMT

If Clarke had slowed the over rate down, he would have created more scoreboard pressure and that may have induced more mistakes. As it was, when India did feel the pressure, there were plenty of overs left for them to absorb it. At no stage in the after-tea period was any result other that an India win remotely conceivable - after all they had 6 wickets and 15 balls left at the end - that is a big margin in a small chase.

sarangsrk
on March 18, 2013, 18:25 GMT

@Damian123, Scube is right. There is no way umpires would have allowed Aus to bowl only 12 overs in 90 mins of play before mandatory 1 hour started. Also, from the indian team's attitude, it was evident they were going for the win (apart from those 4-5 overs when Dhoni came in). Had India known that they only had 27-28 overs, they would have played differently.Having said that, I really admire Clarke's and aussie spirit of trying to win regardless of the situation of the match. People should stop imagining what Dhoni would have done in similar situation. He might not have had any chance of draw anyways as our bowlers would have given up seeing only 130 odd required to win.That is what needs to be appreciated of aussie bowlers who kept trying even though it was Dhoni-Sachin partnership which dragged the match a bit which should have finished 5 overs back.

Nampally
on March 18, 2013, 18:24 GMT

It was very sporting gesture of Clarke to play with out wasting any time. This certainly gave India the chance to win in a Match which had drawn result marked over. However Clarke had very little chance of winning the match at any stage of the 4 days play. Clarke should be specially thankful to Starc, Smith & Siddle for keeping OZ in the game. With 287 for no loss, India collapsed on Day 3, partly aided by Pujara's wrong LBW decision by the Umpire. This swung the momentum in the Aussie's way. Otherwise India was set for 250-300 run lead. But India fought back & got back into the game - thanks to B.Kumar's spirited swing bowling. Despite Starc's late heroics, the Aussies folded up early. I do hope the Aussies fight back in the last Test & recover some of the pride before the Ashes. It is a good team ripped apart by Coach Arthur's strange attitude + inexperience against spinners. Watson & Clarke are still 2 World class batsmen who can still show up their class in the 4th Test.

sri1ram
on March 18, 2013, 18:17 GMT

Respect to Clarke and the Australian way, at least in this principled "all or nothing" approach. I cannot for the life of me imagine what Clarke would have done had the score been 1-1 and had it been a 3-match series. Probably the same.
No other captain, MSD or Cook or Smith would have done similar. The safety first approach would have led to negative leg-side bowling, I am sure.
Anyone remember the ignominious tour of Nassar Hussein English team to India in the nineties?
Of course, the captains would be berated by the purists for negativity, yet they can take that as compared to a series defeat.

CricketLifer
on March 18, 2013, 17:47 GMT

If India played every match with similar positive intent, it would have much higher win ration. Even in this match, India almost seemed to be playing for a draw rather than a win - esp the way we batted after the solid start provided by Dhawan and Vijay. Lack of killer instincts is something I have heard for last 30-40 years! It does not one day just decide to show up at one's door, it needs to be practiced and required!

Damian123
on March 18, 2013, 17:46 GMT

@Scube. You must have looked at a different scorecard or followed a different match. Australia bowled 33.3 overs and there were another 2.3 overs left. Sure, you need lots of more IQ to follow cricket!

FAB_ALI
on March 18, 2013, 17:21 GMT

Well... the remaining 27 overs were only because India had bowled so many overs in real quick time and not bcoz of time remaining!!! They had 35 mins (before tea) and one hour in the final session before mandatory 15 overs which means an over rate of 12/hour would mean 7+12+15 that is 36 (as many as India did actually get)...and tell you what an over of 12/hour is below the standards and considered mediocre sometimes even punishable. So please don't say Australia has done something admirable as this was least they could have bowled.

PPD123
on March 18, 2013, 17:19 GMT

People indeed have a short term memory. Before doffing your hats to Clarke, think Sydney 2008. I am not trying to insinuate but let me make my point - Pls watch the videos and that match and you will see this same Micheal clarke in there 1)edging the ball to slips and standing his ground 2)catching a bump ball of Ganguly at slips and then vehemently claiming the catch. Also he had that dressing room bust up with Andrew Symonds and had a significant role to play in ending his career.
I agree Clarke has tried to change his attitude and behavior since taking over as captain, he is positive in his decision making and tries to lead from the front and be proactive. He is definitely Aus best batsmen and one of the best in the world on current form. But he still has a lot to do to eradicate the howlers of the past.
I like what I see of clarke as captain, but the jury is still out on whether he is the best captain since Mark taylor.

hiasad
on March 18, 2013, 17:18 GMT

That was a sporting approach from Clarke. If it were India or Bangladesh, they would literally start crying on the field to delay every minute they could .... I wish that ppl atleast keep the negativity out of sport ! Well played Mr Clarke !

on March 18, 2013, 17:03 GMT

Admire Clarke's approach, even in the face of adversity, he has taken some bold decisions in this series. I am not sure many captains in his place would have even thought of winning this match. Maybe a lesson for Dhoni, whose series first and match be gone mindset has resulted in some very questionable tactics. I had started to wonder if India were playing for a draw at one stage. As much as I hate to say it, kudos to Jadeja (sic) for those two bold boundaries while Dhoni was scrapping.

tests_the_best
on March 18, 2013, 16:56 GMT

I must say as an Indian fan, that my respect for Clarke has grown over the years. The Sydney gate incidents of 2008 put some doubt as to whether he was the right person to lead a team but since then, the way he has conducted himself and the comments coming from him both in victory/defeat speak of a lot of maturity/understanding of the game, more than what Ponting displayed while in charge. Hopefully he'll continue in the same vein in the years to come.

abhi026
on March 18, 2013, 16:56 GMT

What I feel it was a great test not just because it produced the resullt but the way it was dynamic throughout the whole period. In a test where first day is wasted and first innings produces 400 for both teams it is hard to think about the result but well played India and also australia was bad only in post tea and prelunch sessions on day4 and 5 . I think mohali has got some love afair with the excitement whether it is test or Odi . This pitch had everything for spinners, pacers and for batters on first 2 days. Other groundsmen need to learn something from mohali , I hope they will .

Scube
on March 18, 2013, 16:56 GMT

Let's give credit where it's due, but this is stretching a bit toooo far!! There was one session and 30 mins left when India started batting! How on earth can any team bowl only 27 overs in that time & claim to have played as per rule! Before the last hour for the mandatory 15 overs to start, how can any team bowl only 12 overs in 90 mins!?! May be Siddle & Starc could have started their run-up from the pavilion for every ball!!! And anyone here thinks that India wouldn't have tried to score faster if they knew that they are going to get only 27 overs!?! God, teach me cricket's nuances please!

hystericalnaive
on March 18, 2013, 16:51 GMT

Well this is difference between how AUstralia play and how India play cricket. I would bet India would have not done what Aus had done. I am an Indian fan but I like fairness. India being adamant of not taking DRS is unfair and unjust.

blink182alex
on March 18, 2013, 16:50 GMT

@ska. You think Siddle is someone who will not provide a breakthrough, did you not watch the test match, he took 6 wickets. And over the last 18 months he has been the leader of the attack, he often gets the big wickets like Jayawardene, Sangakarra, Tendulkar and Dravid. In this time the only seamers who have taken more than Siddle's 67 wickets @24, is Steyn and Philander. Think it's fair to say Siddle is a wicket taker.

AKS286
on March 18, 2013, 16:46 GMT

for all khawaja fans i tell you the truth- khawaja is a very ordinary mediocre, below avg batsman. but he is very much over rated by some fans.

on March 18, 2013, 16:42 GMT

I dont see any logic behind praising clark here as he dumped alll his match winners for some lame reasons and been the main reason for this humiliating defeat. That too in a 4 days match, with more than 400 in first inngs. Thre school teacher attitude cause thre game. under the same crcumstances, had they patinson and johnson, life would be very difficult for indian. if not a draw, atleast they could have taken few more wkt.

Dhoni is far better than Clark, with his no nonsense attitude..Jai ho

torsha
on March 18, 2013, 16:38 GMT

@ Kavindeven You're saying that because you are a fan of Ganguly. Clark may be a good batsman but check stats of him outside Australia and same goes for MS.

Arrow011
on March 18, 2013, 16:37 GMT

I still see lack of planning in Indian cricket. Shikar Dhawan said after his innings nobody asked him to play fast, when the first day has been washed out usually captains do say play quick lets get a result out of the remaining 4 days. Jut because everything fell in place India won it. Even the last innings chase was so badly executed, Virat Kohli was just defending as if he has 50 overs to bat. A winning attitude is lacking, just because Aussies were bowling more than the quota we won it. Why could Dhoni come on 1 drop & smash the bowling? It remainded me of the infamous chase in West indies 2011 series when India had to score 180 in 45 overs, when Rahul & VVS wasted all time to remain not out. Drawing the test without even attempting for a win.

India has won 3-0 so far but if Aussies were in India's shoes they would thumped with more force, notching up a win very quickly even if they had lost 2 more wickets. We still have a long way to go & show we are a winner side.

on March 18, 2013, 16:34 GMT

australia did defend a score of i dont know, around 125 against pakistan, so i still had hope of aussie winning this match. But that match with pak was under different situation where they had more than 36overs to bowl

Hassanzee
on March 18, 2013, 16:33 GMT

@Rags57 This game ain't about if's and but's..if it wud hav been then i wat do yu say abt the partnership btwn steven smith and mitch starc and the scores they made...wat if both were out fr ducks? wat wud hav hapnd then? So yu c bro its easy to talk abt if's and but's but the thing that matters is wat actualy hapnd on the field..and wat hapnd was the aussies lost the match and the series...plain and simple

jay_vkjay
on March 18, 2013, 16:33 GMT

I don't think Australia had any chance of winning this test. But Clarke's approach really admirable. He make Indians earn every single run with much effort. The way Siddle and Starc bowled in the last hour was just brilliant, at one point a draw looked possible. Even Tendulkar struggled hard. Virat's fall created a lot of panic and Dhoni fishing outside off stump when ball is reversing.
Hats off to Jadeja for those two superb 4s off Siddle.

on March 18, 2013, 16:30 GMT

Forget all talk about negative attitude and all that. Do all of us remember the Indian attitude at the end of the Aussie test series? They were giving rubbish excuses and looking defensive. And they actually went there in 2011 as favorites to at least draw if not win the series with Sachin, Rahul, Sehwag, Zaheer and VVS still a part. And we lost 4-0. Clarke has an inexperienced team without his two experienced batters and only two bowlers who have toured here. He should be overloaded with excuses yet he isnt. So lets just give credit where it is due. And no matter how much Kohli or Gambhir crow about revenge, these two series cannot be compared. We went in with our best team and as favorites. They came in here and nobody gave them a chance. Nobody thought they would win and they are not winning. So lets just let them be. And I think our arrogant Kohlis and Gambhirs and Sehwags need to take some lessons from them. Arrogance in victory is OK but not in defeat.

AKS286
on March 18, 2013, 16:27 GMT

No, Clarke its a day dream of you or you want to motivate players or shows how much you confident. The only thing you assume is the draw after starc's second inning before it looks like complete LOSS.

ansram
on March 18, 2013, 16:19 GMT

Graceful in defeat! Agree with this. But 133 was not going to be defendable in 25 overs. India knew they had time and went about the task without taking risks.

on March 18, 2013, 16:18 GMT

Being a sportsman needs to be able to react as well as to a defeat as much as in victory. Clarke - Learn to play the game in spirit. Losing is part of the game... be humble in accepting defeat... LOSERS!!!

Go_F.Alonso
on March 18, 2013, 16:11 GMT

Apart from Pattinson, Starc and maybe Lyon, don't think it matters which bowlers they bowl. Siddle for all his efforts and my admiration for him is more of a workhorse - not exactly someone to provide a break-through, is he? With the bat though, there's no harm in giving Khawaja a go, instead of Hughes. I know Hughes is getting better but it's unfair not to give others a look in when he's had 3 tests.

Rebel_Who_Follows_All_The_Rules
on March 18, 2013, 16:00 GMT

Oh come on!!! Surely even he didn't believe they could win did he??? I think he is just playing to the galleries with this "we could win" nonsense,don't get me wrong, I am all for being positive but sorry to say this statement crosses the boundary of positivity and heads into the territory of DELUSION...

Longmemory
on March 18, 2013, 16:00 GMT

Lets take a moment to appreciate Clarke: in this day he remains the only captain who believes and acts in this way. Fantastic. No matter what his other problems are, the refusal to waste time, to not settle for a draw, and to always think of ways to win is awesome.

JayanDamodaran
on March 18, 2013, 15:55 GMT

Hats off to you Michael! That's cricket! But there are a few things that are to be sorted out if Aussies could do some thing exceptional at Delhi.

1. Once again the team has succumbed under 4 days of cricket in a test match. The Aussie batsmen have to occupy the crease for more duration. Runs will follow. Just take inspiration from today's last wicket partnership! They almost took away the win from India!

2. Don't select more than a spinner at Delhi. Add Pattinson and Mitchel Jhonson to the attack. Plus Sddle or Starc. Believe in fast bowling and you will reap reward!

3. Don't decide to bat first even if you win the toss. Send India in and bombard them with pace.

4. Try Usman Khwaja in place of Hughes.

All the best!

sukuviju
on March 18, 2013, 15:55 GMT

To all those fellow Indians who are complimenting Clark for his great humility, sportsman spirit etc. I am wondering how you guys will react if India is at the receiving end and Dhoni says exactly what Clark is saying now. I am suring you guys will be spitting venom on Dhoni exactly the way you are spitting venom on sachin who had given us lots to cheer in the last 20 years.

Romenevans
on March 18, 2013, 15:53 GMT

No matter what, But Clarke is still light years ahead of Dhoni as a test batsman and a captain. Yep, coming from an Indian fan, but the reality.

on March 18, 2013, 15:44 GMT

David rules and CricketMaan Please note that the number of minimum overs for the day to be bowled by Australia was 29 (only technically), This was because India bowled 44 overs before lunch. In pracrice, Australia had to bowl 15 overs (in the last hour) in addition to ab houraution Clarke to get on with the game, before start of the mandatory overs. and 45 minutes of time. Even if they had bowled 12 overs per hour, they would have had to send down 21 overs + 15 overs, which is what they did. Let us not try and find ways of heaping praise on Clarke, unfairly. In fact Alim Dar had to c

on March 18, 2013, 15:43 GMT

come on, pls dont say kudos to his attitude. He is converting the biggest defeat to moderate one.This attitude will be there until selectors have faith in him. If he loose the ashes then find about his attitude !!! All the people who were saying remove shikar dhawan's innings, pls can you remove stark batting from both the innings. And shikar is an opening batsmen and stark is a number 9 batsmen.

eng_mdkhan
on March 18, 2013, 15:42 GMT

Let us just stand for a minute and observe a minutes silence for the passing away of Australian Cricket pride and pomp...........there....good riddance.

on March 18, 2013, 15:30 GMT

Graceful and Positive - that's almost a hallmark for any Aussie skipper. However, I don't think negative tactics would have done much with only 133 on board.

on March 18, 2013, 15:29 GMT

Strange we are talking about Michael Clarke" not being defensive!! Bowling 21 overs in 95 minutes of play before the mandatory 15 overs means an over rate of 12.5 per hour!! India could have won any way. The fact is in modern day cricket with more of shorter version of the game and lots of money involved, no overseas team has the consistancy and ability to win a serious with very little surprising exception such as the recently concluded series between India and England. This was because, England realized and quickly included two quality spinners into the playing eleven and India were outplayed in the last two tests.

torsha
on March 18, 2013, 15:17 GMT

That's what each and every captain says but it's not easy for a team who doesn't do their homework properly.

venkatesh018
on March 18, 2013, 15:09 GMT

It takes the utmost humility from Clarke to say that Aussies are deservedly down 0-3. No sugar coating or diplomatic inanity. Great attitude Clarke...You deserve a better team.

PrasPunter
on March 18, 2013, 15:04 GMT

win in Delhi ? May I know how ? By playing 2 spinners ? How long
is it going to take for us to realize what everyone else in this universe
seems to have - our spinners just can't buy a wicket, leave alone
getting one . What chance do we have of taking 20 wickets with only
2 of our bowlers ? Dump the idea of playing a spinner and play
to our strengths - play an all-seamer attack and see how it goes -
definitely wouldn't be worse than the flogging that we have been
taking since we landed here in india.

bumsonseats
on March 18, 2013, 14:59 GMT

can someone please tell me how. i thought he had a bad back, not concussed.

dravid_rules
on March 18, 2013, 14:54 GMT

Kudos to Michael Clarke for having been very positive. Can't see India winning this test if he had chosen to go negative. It has to be conceded that a 5 day test would have seen India winning by the proverbial mile, but still, given the current circumstances - Hats off to Mike.

He showed that the sport and sportsmanship is more important than any single team or just winning.

I am also happy that Dhoni and co. took up the challenge (unlike previous occassions in WI and England)

CricketMaan
on March 18, 2013, 14:49 GMT

Its hard to belive that this was the team that plundered runs against a hapless indian attack down under. yes that included Huss and Ricky and yes this team is hopeless against spin but still, Aus always had some one who scored a 100 and at time big 100s in India, that is missing. But kudos to Pup for playing positive game, i bet you Dhoni would have adopted negative tactics if it means hanging on to a draw!! With the famous 4 available, who will get the axe. i would play the following assuming Pup is fit to play. Aus XI for Delhi - Warner, Cowan, Hughes, Clarke, Watto, Haddin, Johnson, Pattinson, Siddle, Starc and Lyon. No harm in attacking India with all pace, either way Doherty, Maxwell have failed to curtail runs or pick wickets.

foursandsixes
on March 18, 2013, 14:48 GMT

Michael, in case you are unable to play in Delhi, please submit your homework on how to win that test match to the captain, Shane Watson.

AjaySridharan
on March 18, 2013, 14:44 GMT

Kudos to that attitude! Way to be graceful in defeat!

on March 18, 2013, 16:13 GMT

Clarke is doubtless a positive skipper, humble yet mindful of cricketing legacies and the best Australia have in their ranks right now. Unfortunately, Australia do not have the personnel to back him up, should he fail (which is what makes the Homework Punishments even more baffling!).Had Siddle and Starc found more of their swing earlier, it could have been an exiting contest. That said, Mohali was perhaps the most 'spin unfriendly' pitch of the series and Indian spinners deserve credit for taking twenty Australian wickets. And to the detractors, let us not get into random arguments about 'what-if's. Indian batting line up is a fairly green one too, Tendulkar and Dhoni aside, the entire top seven is still getting their feet wet in test cricket, so well done!

PSK_analyst
on March 18, 2013, 16:00 GMT

What Clarke has done is indeed admirable and is a great example to other captains, this is the kind of attitude that Test cricket needs , Test cricket needs more captains like Clarke , if Dhoni was in Clarkes shoes , i think he would go for the draw, no disrespect to Dhoni here , but thats the way most captains do.

Rags57
on March 18, 2013, 15:17 GMT

Amazing attitude for a captain. Hats off Michael, you are a credit to the cricket world. You just needed one or two match winners in your team and some luck and who knows you would have at least shared honors with India in this series. If India won the first two days of this test, I believe Australia won the final two days. Take Shikhar Dhawan's innings out and Australia would have most definitely won this match. India would have struggled for a target of 200 so I would say Australia just lost by 60 or 70 runs!! Isn't it commendable considering Clarke, their best batsman was a big failure in this match?

AjaySridharan
on March 18, 2013, 14:44 GMT

Kudos to that attitude! Way to be graceful in defeat!

foursandsixes
on March 18, 2013, 14:48 GMT

Michael, in case you are unable to play in Delhi, please submit your homework on how to win that test match to the captain, Shane Watson.

CricketMaan
on March 18, 2013, 14:49 GMT

Its hard to belive that this was the team that plundered runs against a hapless indian attack down under. yes that included Huss and Ricky and yes this team is hopeless against spin but still, Aus always had some one who scored a 100 and at time big 100s in India, that is missing. But kudos to Pup for playing positive game, i bet you Dhoni would have adopted negative tactics if it means hanging on to a draw!! With the famous 4 available, who will get the axe. i would play the following assuming Pup is fit to play. Aus XI for Delhi - Warner, Cowan, Hughes, Clarke, Watto, Haddin, Johnson, Pattinson, Siddle, Starc and Lyon. No harm in attacking India with all pace, either way Doherty, Maxwell have failed to curtail runs or pick wickets.

dravid_rules
on March 18, 2013, 14:54 GMT

Kudos to Michael Clarke for having been very positive. Can't see India winning this test if he had chosen to go negative. It has to be conceded that a 5 day test would have seen India winning by the proverbial mile, but still, given the current circumstances - Hats off to Mike.

He showed that the sport and sportsmanship is more important than any single team or just winning.

I am also happy that Dhoni and co. took up the challenge (unlike previous occassions in WI and England)

bumsonseats
on March 18, 2013, 14:59 GMT

can someone please tell me how. i thought he had a bad back, not concussed.

PrasPunter
on March 18, 2013, 15:04 GMT

win in Delhi ? May I know how ? By playing 2 spinners ? How long
is it going to take for us to realize what everyone else in this universe
seems to have - our spinners just can't buy a wicket, leave alone
getting one . What chance do we have of taking 20 wickets with only
2 of our bowlers ? Dump the idea of playing a spinner and play
to our strengths - play an all-seamer attack and see how it goes -
definitely wouldn't be worse than the flogging that we have been
taking since we landed here in india.

venkatesh018
on March 18, 2013, 15:09 GMT

It takes the utmost humility from Clarke to say that Aussies are deservedly down 0-3. No sugar coating or diplomatic inanity. Great attitude Clarke...You deserve a better team.

torsha
on March 18, 2013, 15:17 GMT

That's what each and every captain says but it's not easy for a team who doesn't do their homework properly.

on March 18, 2013, 15:29 GMT

Strange we are talking about Michael Clarke" not being defensive!! Bowling 21 overs in 95 minutes of play before the mandatory 15 overs means an over rate of 12.5 per hour!! India could have won any way. The fact is in modern day cricket with more of shorter version of the game and lots of money involved, no overseas team has the consistancy and ability to win a serious with very little surprising exception such as the recently concluded series between India and England. This was because, England realized and quickly included two quality spinners into the playing eleven and India were outplayed in the last two tests.

on March 18, 2013, 15:30 GMT

Graceful and Positive - that's almost a hallmark for any Aussie skipper. However, I don't think negative tactics would have done much with only 133 on board.